Private Mediation vs Public Mediation: Why Choose Mediation for Families
If you’re navigating a family dispute, you may be wondering whether to go through a publicly funded mediation service or hire a private mediation practitioner. While publicly funded options may seem appealing due to lower upfront costs, they often come with limitations that can significantly affect time, flexibility, privacy, and overall outcomes.
At Mediation for Families, our private, accredited mediators offer specialised, focused services designed to help families reach fair and lasting agreements — faster, more privately, and with greater flexibility.
1. Expertise and Focus
Private mediation practitioners at Mediation for Families work exclusively in mediation. They are:
Accredited under national mediation standards
Former legal practitioners (solicitors, barristers, judges, registrars, or legal officers)
Experienced in both parenting and property disputes
Focused entirely on resolution, not litigation
Publicly funded mediators, while trained, often handle a high volume of cases with limited time per session, and may not have the same level of prior legal experience or dedicated mediation practice.
2. Privacy and Confidentiality
| Feature | Private Mediation (Mediation for Families) | Publicly Funded Services |
|---|---|---|
| Session Location | Private, confidential office or online | Government or community facilities |
| Confidentiality | Strictly confidential; highly personalised | Limited privacy; files may be shared internally |
| Flexibility of Schedule | Morning, evening, or weekend sessions | Fixed public service hours; limited flexibility |
| Number of Sessions | Based on client needs | Often limited; may require multiple referrals |
Takeaway: Private mediation ensures that your family matters remain discreet and secure, while public options may feel bureaucratic or less personal.
3. Long Delays with Public Organisations
Organisations such as Relationships Australia, Anglicare, Uniting Care, Interrelate, Catholic Care, and similar community-based services, often require:
2 months for intake and assessment
An additional 6 months for mediation sessions
These delays can seriously aggravate unresolved disputes, particularly regarding the care of children, where emotional stress, conflict escalation, and uncertainty can worsen while families wait months for access to services.
Private mediators at Mediation for Families can schedule tailored sessions within weeks, providing quicker resolution and reduced stress for all involved.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Programs
Publicly funded mediation services may require participants to complete therapy sessions, parenting courses, or drug and alcohol programs, even when these are not relevant to your case. These additional requirements:
Extend the timeline of resolution
Increase stress and complexity for participants
Can add indirect costs or time away from work/family
Private mediation with Mediation for Families focuses solely on resolving your dispute efficiently, without mandatory programs that may not be necessary for your situation.
5. Cost Transparency and Efficiency
Many assume publicly funded mediation is “free” — but it comes with hidden costs: long wait times, multiple appointments, and extended preparation. Private mediators provide clear, upfront pricing and work efficiently to resolve matters faster.
At Mediation for Families:
Hourly Rate: $220 per person
Typical Session Duration: 4 hours
Total Typical Cost for Two Participants: $1,760 (4 hrs × $220 × 2 people)
Public services may appear cheaper, but clients often spend more time waiting for appointments, with less customised support and unnecessary programs.
Time, Cost & Requirement Comparison
| Feature | Private Mediation | Publicly Funded Mediation |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | $220 per person | Free or low-cost |
| Session Duration | Flexible; typically 4 hrs | Shorter sessions; multiple appointments |
| Time to Resolve | Weeks | Often 8+ months (2 months intake + 6 months mediation) |
| Outcome Quality | Personalised and neutral | Limited by session availability and volume |
| Mandatory Programs | None unless needed | Therapy, parenting, or drug/alcohol programs may be required |
| Follow-Up Support | Available on request | Minimal; dependent on case allocation |
Bottom line: Private mediation is faster, more tailored, and ultimately more effective, even when the upfront cost is higher.
6. Tailored Support and Flexibility
Private mediation practitioners can provide sessions that suit your unique family situation, including:
Flexible scheduling (evenings and weekends)
Online or in-office sessions
Adjusted pace depending on complexity of dispute
Follow-up support for agreements and documentation
Publicly funded services typically have fixed schedules, limited follow-up, and may require participants to attend additional programs that are not relevant, which can delay resolution.
7. Quality Assurance and Accreditation
All practitioners at Mediation for Families are fully accredited:
Adhering to national professional standards
Continuing professional development and training
Able to issue legally recognised Section 60I certificates (for parenting disputes)
This ensures high-quality, accountable mediation, compared with publicly funded services that may rely on staff with varying levels of experience, high caseload pressures, and mandatory programs that may not be required for your family’s needs.
8. Comparison Table Summary
| Feature | Mediation for Families (Private) | Publicly Funded Mediation |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Mediation only; expert in family law context | Multiple functions; may include conflict resolution in broader roles |
| Cost | $220 per person per hour; transparent | Free or low-cost; hidden time and indirect costs |
| Expertise | Former legal practitioners with full-time mediation focus | Variable; limited legal experience |
| Privacy | High; fully confidential | Moderate; shared files and administrative oversight |
| Scheduling | Flexible; tailored to client needs | Fixed; limited slots |
| Time to Resolution | Weeks | 8+ months (intake + mediation) |
| Mandatory Programs | None unless needed | Therapy, parenting, or drug/alcohol programs may be imposed |
| Outcome Quality | High; personalised | Moderate; dependent on session frequency and workload |
9. Conclusion: Why Private Mediation Wins
Choosing Mediation for Families for private mediation gives you:
Expert, accredited mediators
Faster, flexible, and tailored sessions
Full confidentiality and privacy
Avoid unnecessary programs
Resolve disputes in weeks, not months
When your family matters are important, private mediation ensures you receive focused, professional, and highly personalised support, rather than navigating the delays, mandatory programs, and bureaucracy of publicly funded services.
Get Started
Looking for a private, accredited mediator? Contact Mediation for Families today to discuss your situation and book a confidential consultation.
Fixed rate: $220 per person per hour — professional, neutral, and dedicated to resolving your family dispute efficiently.
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Author
Nick Richards FDRP LL.B MBA GDLP DMgmt MQLS
Nick Richards is our Practice Director and Lead Mediator. Nick has over 20 years experience in negotiating outcomes for clients and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS), Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), Domestic Violence Practitioner and Lawyer (LLB) practising throughout Australia. Nick is a professional member of the Queensland Law Society, Resolution Institute and the Elder Mediation Network. Nick is accredited by the Federal Government and the Mediator Standards Board for his service as a FDRP and as a Mediator.